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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2002

Saturn SC recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns and 201 owner complaints for the Saturn SC, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The 1995 model year drew the most complaints (39), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Saturn SC VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 12 recall campaigns on file
  • 201 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (1995–2002)
  • most complaints: 1995 (39 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (39 complaints)
  • latest recall 00V310000 (reported Oct 12, 2000)
  • 36 complaints reporting a crash (17.9%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (2.5%)
  • 20 complaints reporting an injury (10.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (0.5%)

Saturn SC complaints by model year

8 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1995 model year has the most complaints: 39 of 201, or 19.4%. Next come 2002 (38) and 1997 (33). The fewest are for 2000, with 7 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Saturn SC owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2002Column chart of 201 complaints across 8 model years. The highest is 1995 with 39. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 39 complaints3919951996: 26 complaints2619961997: 33 complaints3319971998: 13 complaints1319981999: 24 complaints2419992000: 7 complaints720002001: 21 complaints2120012002: 38 complaints382002
Saturn SC complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Saturn SC complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
19953910040
1996264040
1997334111
1998131000
1999245140
200072000
2001213120
2002387250
All model years201365201

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Saturn SC components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 39 complaints (19.4% of all 201), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (32) and Air Bags (25).

Components named most often in Saturn SC complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Saturn SC complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System3919.4%
Engine and Engine Cooling3215.9%
Air Bags2512.4%
Seats2311.4%
Power Train157.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic147.0%
Seat Belts136.5%
Structure126.0%
Steering105.0%
Tires105.0%
Vehicle Speed Control84.0%
Visibility84.0%
Unknown or Other73.5%
Equipment52.5%
Exterior Lighting52.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Saturn SC recalls

12 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name SC, newest first. The 12 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2001. The 2000 model year appears in the most campaigns (7).

  • 12 recall campaigns
Saturn SC recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1995: 2 campaigns1996: no campaigns1997: 3 campaigns1998: no campaigns1999: 1 campaign
2000: 7 campaigns2001: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 00V310000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch

    Model years 2000–2001

    Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 114, "theft protection." These vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.

    Consequence:
    This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
    Remedy:
    Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V309000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model years 2000–2001

    Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 301, "fuel system integrity." These vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.

    Consequence:
    Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 99V297000

    Reported

    Structure › Body

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." The armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 99V280000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model years 1999–2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." Some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 99V231000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 135, "passenger car brake systems." These vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.

    Consequence:
    If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 99V232000

    Reported

    Structure › Body › Bumpers

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 581, "bumper standard." These vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing.

    Consequence:
    If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 99V230000

    Reported

    Unknown or Other

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 208, "occupant crash protection." Some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet Saturn quality standards.

    Consequence:
    A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 99V045000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 1995

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force is applied.

    Consequence:
    If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  9. NHTSA campaign 97V162000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model year 1997

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The section of the owner's handbook titled "horizontal aim" does not specifically instruct an owner how to adjust the headlamp horizontal aim. This does not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

    Consequence:
    A vehicle's headlamp would not be properly adjusted causing visibility problems to oncoming vehicles.
    Remedy:
    Owners are being provided with a label with the correct information on headlamp horizontal aim to be placed over the existing text in the owner's handbook. If an owner desires, their dealer can place the sticker in the owner's handbook for them.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  10. NHTSA campaign 97V161000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Retractor

    Model year 1997

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the driver or front passenger safety belt is pulled out much faster than normal, a number of time, the lock-up feature of the retractor will not work properly.

    Consequence:
    In a rapid deceleration or vehicle crash, the occupant would not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger safety belt retractor.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Show 2 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 96V153000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 1997

    The front passenger seats have less lock pawl engagement on the inboard fore/aft adjuster than specified. This does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "seating systems."

    Consequence:
    This condition could result in seat movement with a belted occupant during a moderate to severe frontal impact.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the passenger seat inboard fore/aft adjuster.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 94V217000

    Reported

    Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)

    Model year 1995

    The automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly was improperly adjusted making it possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed, or remove the ignition key with the shift lever in a position other than "park." This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS 114, "theft protection."

    Consequence:
    Consequence of non-compliance: unintended vehicle movement can occur which could result in an accident.
    Remedy:
    Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Saturn SC questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Saturn SC have?

NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recall campaigns for the Saturn SC, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The most recent, 00V310000, was reported on October 12, 2000 and is filed under “Power train”. The 2000 model year is covered by the most campaigns (7).

Which Saturn SC model year has the most complaints?

The 1995 model year, with 39 of the 201 complaints in NHTSA’s file (19.4%). The next are 2002 (38) and 1997 (33). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Saturn SC complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 39 complaints, or 19.4% of all 201. Engine and Engine Cooling (32) and Air Bags (25) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Saturn SC?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Saturn dealer.

How many Saturn SC complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 201 complaints, 36 report a crash, 5 a fire, 20 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Saturn models

8 models · most complaints first

The Saturn models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Saturn VIN decoder with every Saturn model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Saturn Ion 2003–2008 · 10 recalls · 4,343 complaints
  • Saturn Vue 2002–2010 · 7 recalls · 2,351 complaints
  • Saturn SL 1995–2002 · 12 recalls · 1,605 complaints
  • Saturn LS 2000–2004 · 12 recalls · 1,458 complaints
  • Saturn Aura 2000–2010 · 5 recalls · 1,439 complaints
  • Saturn Outlook 2007–2010 · 10 recalls · 1,352 complaints
  • Saturn Sky 2007–2010 · 5 recalls · 516 complaints
  • Saturn SC1 1995–2001 · 6 recalls · 252 complaints

All Saturn models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.